Fenjal Classic Luxury Creme Bath

Author's product rating:   

Advantages:	Lives up to its claims
Disadvantages:	Scent could be improved to encourage more buyers

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

*The reason*
I bought this stuff for my sister as a gift. I had asked her what she would like and she mentioned she was running out of 'Sengal'. Well I'd never heard of it before and asked where could I get it. She said it had always been bought as gift before so wasn't sure, but thought Boots or Superdrug might stock it. I searched and searched but couldn't find it so ended up buying her a moisturiser from Clarins as she loves this range too.

*I got it, i got it!!*
It was in the January sales that I noticed there was a gift set on the shelf in Sainsburys called Fenjal, so I wondered had I got the name wrong, had I been searching for a non-existent product!!? I rang her home number and her son answered the phone. Poor lad, I got him to go upstairs twice (first time to look for it and next time to check the spelling!!) to her bathroom because I knew she had some left and check what was the name of this stuff. I said it was supposed to be in an greeny bluey coloured glass bottle. He confirmed it was the same product. I felt a bit of an egit and just glad I hadn't asked anybody for assistance in my previous search!! I bought it as it had been reduced from £7.99 to £5.75. The set was in a pretty bag that was a similar colour to the box packaging only with a shiny look and texture to it. It contained a 45ml bottle of the luxury creme bath, a 100gm bar of the luxury creme soap and a shower puff in the matching shade of greeny blue. All of their products are in the same greeny blue colour with what looks like waves on the front, the sides of the boxes are silver and the tops either silver or the greeny blue.

*Wow good price, should've waited*
When I told my sister I had finally found it, she was delighted. As we live the opposite ends of Ireland I said I'd post it to her. Before I did, I noticed on my next visit to Sainsburys that they had reduced it again to £3.99 so I bought the remaining two sets. I kept one as she recommended that I try it myself. And many thanks received from my sister.

*Shall I, shan't I?*
This has been sat in my bathroom for about two months and this morning I decided to try it out. I hadn't tried it before as I had read another review which had quite put me off but thought hey if I don't like it, my sister will happily take the rest. I actually like the look of this stuff, its quite 'posh' looking so was a bit shall I, shan't I? as I didn't want to wreck the display.

*Here goes, what's it really like?*
Now we live in a soft water area and have a cast iron bath in our house, good and solid, not one of those plastic things that might be adversely affected by a bath oil. I filled the bath three quarters full and added one capful of the creme bath. Its a smallish cap on the 45ml bottle but I felt it was enough and I could always add more, can't take it away without wasting the bathwater!! I had smelt it before opening and although I wouldn't choose the scent, it was okay. Very 'classical'. I could imagine this stuff being around for the last 100 years, type of smell, with the manufacturers saying 'If it sells leave the scent be'. It is hard to describe the scent but at first I thought it was a musty old lady smell - sorry musty old ladies out there who read this! - but on sniffing deeper it goes into a much fresher scent and is nice on the skin. It isn't so strong on your skin, that people will gag when you walk past them in the street. The scent is quite strong when it is mixed in the water and the scent lingers both in the bathroom and on your skin. So if you don't like it when you first open the bottle DON'T use it!

*Mmm not bad...*
So back to the look of the water, it is sort of cloudy when it was first put in but soon clears. After getting into the bath, I can get the scent all around me and fortunately for me I don't mind the scent that much. I didn't feel any greasiness in the water, on the sides or bottom of the bath. When I rubbed my skin it felt beautifully moist - yes I know I'm in water!! - and not at all tight. I do have quite dry skin and would have to use a moisturiser after each bath or shower. I had opened the box containing the soap and worked this into a really luxurious lather with the aid of the accompanying puff. I really thought this was worth the money, I love a soap that lathers well. I only tend to stay in the bath at most 10 minutes due to my skin starting to dry out if I stay in any longer. But this time I gave myself a full 20 minutes in the bath.

*What! no itch!!*
When I got out I patted myself dry and waited a few seconds for the familiar itch that turns into a scream for moisturiser - none came! I'm very impressed. I will definately use this again.

*What's the damage to the bath?*
Next test, what state was the bath in after the water had drained away? Well there was a bit of residue all around where the water level had been but when I touched it, it was like a white powdery substance. I got a cloth and a quick whip around cleared it. No need for the heavy duty bath cleaner, well it was me in the bath not Miserable Misery!! Only kidding!! There is nothing worse than having a lovely relaxing bath then to have to get in a sweat cleaning it after you.

*Mmm sniff sniff*
So now I am all fresh smelling, yes I can still smell it an hour later but remember I had soap as well as the creme bath, I feel that I can recommend it. But make sure to sniff it a few times before purchasing and only buy a small bottle for starters in case you don't like it.

*How much will it cost you?*
As I purchased mine as a gift set and on offer, the price is a bit misleading but the original price for the set was £7.99 in Sainsburys. I haven't seen it elsewhere but then I was looking for Sengal not Fenjal!! Other products that they do apart from the soap and creme bath are: Luxury shower oil, luxury body spray, luxury body powder, luxury creme roll on, luxury perfume deo spray, luxury body moisturiser and luxury shower mousse. Ooooh such luxury.........

*The blurb*
They talk on a leaflet enclosed and on the boxes about where they produce the products - in Switzerland, by leading skincare specialists. The products are dermatalogically tested. They go on about these being luxury products that are plant based and will 'gently cleanse, protect and moisturise your skin. leaving it soft and smooth to the touch'.

*Cautions*
Store away from direct sunlight, clean bath after use (for all those dirty gits who don't!!) as products can leave a slippery surface, avoid placing on side of the bath ( glass bottles do smash or can chip enamel) and last of all avoid contact with eyes.

Well hope you had an enjoyable read, thanks for reading - Naomi x